Friends all around

I have this funny habit while on the tube. Every time the doors open I stick my head out to breath the “fresh” air. Yep… kind of like a dog in a car. There’s no rational explanation for this habit (fresh air + tube = oxymoron), just something that felt good and stuck.

Well, the other day I was doing my normal fresh-air-seeking thing when I heard a voice call out to me:

“Hey, where you headed?”

I looked around for a moment and noticed the person calling to me was in fact the train conductor. My first thought was ‘aren’t these trains automated nowadays?’ I answered “Kings Cross” and proceeded to retract my head in time for the doors to shut.

Next stop, same fresh-air-seeking followed by the same conductor asking another question:

“What do you do?”

This question was a little more intimate – especially from what sounded like a brit – but nevertheless I replied that I worked in finance. We both did a head nod in mutual agreement that I was one of ‘those guys’ in the faceless world of finance.

This little correspondence went on for a few more stops until I reached Kings Cross and went along my merry way. Before departing I waived and said goodbye to my new friend and he did the same.

What a great feeling it was to make friends with someone in such an unexpected way. In fact, it made my day.

Since this incident, I’ve found myself in a variety of situations where normally I would go about my daily routine without much thought. But now my conductor conversation often reminds me that potential friends are all around us.

I plan on taking better advantage of this potential. I suggest you do the same.

Hi, I'm Andy and this is my blog, hope you enjoy. Feel free to get in touch anytime via Twitter or Linkedin

About Andy

This is the blog of Andy Shannon. I'm an American living in London, investing in and supporting startups with Startupbootcamp. Once in a while I'll have a thought about tech stuff, startups, or rum. When I do I'll write it here more …